Global K-Beauty Trend Ranking – February 2026

 

🌎 What is the Global K-Beauty Search Trend Ranking?

Hwahae Global Web hit 740,000 monthly users, quickly becoming the go-to source for global consumers exploring K-beauty. Right now, users are comparing and analyzing K-beauty products using ingredient data from around 420,000 products and over 10 million real Korean user reviews. This is seriously impacting how people make purchasing decisions worldwide and helping K-beauty brands build trust with international customers. The US makes up over 50% of our traffic, with major growth coming from Japan, Singapore, and other key Asian markets.

Our K-Beauty Global Search Trends & Rankings pull from real-time search data from users worldwide, giving you the latest insights into what global consumers actually want in K-beauty.

2026 K-Beauty Roadmap: Decoding the Next Wave Through Search Data

🌏 February 2026: Top 20 Search Keywords in the U.S.

1️⃣  🇺🇸 United States: Silk Peptide Leads the Anti-Aging Shift, and Review-Led Purchasing Becomes Standard

• From Collagen to Silk Peptide
Collagen, which dominated search rankings in January, yielded ground in February as “Silk Peptide” claimed the top four keyword positions.
While both collagen and silk peptide are recognized for improving elasticity, hydration, and visible signs of aging, their origins and functional profiles differ. Collagen is typically derived from animal skin and bone and processed into lower molecular weights for absorption. Silk peptide, by contrast, is enzymatically extracted from silkworm cocoons into low-molecular-weight peptides rich in essential amino acids.
Beyond cosmetic benefits, silk peptide is increasingly positioned as a skin health–supporting ingredient. High-ranking queries such as “Fuente Silk Peptide Threads Reviews” and “Korean Silk Peptide Botox Serum” indicate a clear pivot in ingredient preference—while the anti-aging priority itself remains firmly intact.

• The Rise of ‘Home Derma’
  Search terms including “Botox Serum” and “Intensive Lifting Thread” reflect growing demand for clinic-level lifting and firming effects delivered through at-home skincare.
The “home derma” movement—where consumers pursue procedural-grade outcomes via topical formulations rather than in-office treatments—has transitioned from niche to mainstream. Performance claims are increasingly aligned with dermatological procedures, signaling heightened expectations around efficacy.

• Review Verification as a Standard Step
More than six of the top 20 keywords incorporated the term “reviews,” including “Silk Peptide Threads Reviews,” “Dr Melaxin Stick Reviews,” and “Dr Melaxin Cemenrete Reviews.”
Adding “reviews” to a product search has become a default behavior in the consumer journey. Independent validation is no longer supplementary—it is integral to purchase consideration.

• Ongoing Brand-Level Exploration
Dr. Melaxin, which gained traction in January, sustained momentum in February across multiple SKUs, including “Stick” and “Cemenrete.”
Consumers are not only evaluating hero products but conducting deeper portfolio exploration—combining brand name, product name, and “reviews” in search queries. This signals a shift from single-product curiosity to holistic brand assessment.

• Rising Interest in Foundation
New color cosmetic–related keywords entered the rankings, including “B Ready Foundation,” “B Ready Blue Foundation,” and “Rarebeauty Foundation Ingredients.”
Confidence in K-beauty is expanding beyond skincare into base makeup categories. Ingredient transparency—traditionally emphasized in skincare—is now influencing foundation search behavior as well.

• Sustained Category-Level Discovery
Keywords such as “Korean Lip Balm,” “Korean Toner,” and “Korean Body Wash” demonstrate continued exploration at the category level.
Consumers are actively seeking curated K-beauty solutions across verticals, indicating that brand trust is translating into broader ecosystem discovery rather than isolated product interest.

🌏 February 2026: Top 20 Search Keywords in Japan

2️⃣  🇯🇵 Japan: The Rise of Newple, Expansion into Soothing Care, and Enduring Trust in Rankings

• A new No. 1 brand emerges
In February, "Newple" claimed the top spot among search keywords in Japan. Notably absent from January's rankings, the brand surged to No. 1 within a single month—underscoring how quickly K-beauty brand momentum can shift in the Japanese market.

• Aprilskin Lip Tattoo gains traction
"Aprilskin Lip Tattoo" secured the No. 2 position, with "Aprilskin Lip" also ranking separately. Launched in December 2025, the Lip Tattoo drew attention for its distinctive format: it applies in a gold shade and, once removed, develops into a natural flush within 10 seconds. This transformation effect quickly generated buzz, demonstrating how innovative textures and visual payoff resonate strongly with Japanese consumers.

• Verification culture holds steady
"Korean Cosmetics Ranking" placed No. 3, while keywords such as "Cemenrete Light Cream Reviews" and "Lactofit Effects" show that consumers continue to append "reviews" and "effects" directly to their searches—mirroring patterns observed in January.

• Trust in collective validation
Japanese consumers consistently demonstrate a strong preference for socially validated products. Checking reviews and rankings serves as a risk-mitigation strategy, reducing the likelihood of purchase regret. Collective intelligence remains a critical driver in the decision-making process.
 

• Cica and Madeca gain visibility
Products featuring soothing and restorative ingredients—including "Cicadream" and "Madeca Cream"—newly entered the top 20, signaling more defined demand for sensitive-skin solutions.
The rise of "Cicadream" is particularly noteworthy. Search volume appears to have increased following the TikTok-driven virality of the Dorskin Cicadream Cleanser across Asian markets. Notably, Dorskin is an Indonesian brand, not a K-beauty label. This suggests that Japanese users are turning to Hwahae as a discovery and validation platform regardless of a product's country of origin—even for non-Korean brands.

• Beaube powder trend continues
Search terms such as "Smooth Fit Powder," "Beaube Smooth Fit Powder," and "Be Aube Smooth Fit Powder" remained in the upper rankings, sustaining momentum since November.
Launched by YouTuber INBORA, the product is known for its soft-blur finish that smooths pores and skin texture while maintaining a lightweight, matte effect. Its popularity aligns closely with Japanese Gen Z preferences for translucent, velvety skin—suggesting a strong cultural fit between product finish and local aesthetic standards.

• Sustained demand for brightening products
"Idol White Tanning Spray" continued to rank, reflecting persistent consumer interest in achieving a clear, bright skin tone. The preference for luminous, fair-looking skin remains a consistent theme in Japan's beauty search behavior.

🌏 February 2026: Top 20 Search Keywords in GCC

3️⃣  GCC : Luxury Care Defined by Natural Ingredients and High-Performance Protection

1. Retinol Signals the Rise of Science-Backed Anti-Aging

• A shift from January
While January searches were dominated by natural and luxury-associated ingredients such as moringa, caviar, and idebenone, February saw "Lepique Retinol Night Cream" rise to No. 1—highlighting a surge in interest toward clinically proven anti-aging actives.

• Coexistence of nature and science
Notably, science-driven ingredients are not replacing the preference for natural components. Instead, interest in retinol and moringa is developing in parallel. This suggests that Middle Eastern consumers are expanding their ingredient repertoires—balancing botanical appeal with clinically validated efficacy.
 

2. Moringa: Sustained Demand for Natural Efficacy

• Enduring affinity for botanical ingredients
Search terms such as "Organic Moringa Mask Sheet," "Moringa Moist Sunscreen," and "Organic Moringa Sunblock" remained prominent in February. Moringa continues to serve as a recognizable and trusted ingredient within the region.

• Climate-conscious sun care integration
Notably, moringa-related searches are increasingly paired with sun protection formats, including "Moringa Sunscreen" and "Moringa Sunblock." This reflects climate-adapted purchasing behavior, where antioxidant-rich botanicals are combined with high UV defense to address the region's intense sun exposure.

• Broader recognition of K-beauty brands
Keywords such as "Dr Melaxin," "Missha," "Clio," and "Seohaesol" appeared across the rankings, indicating diversified brand awareness within the Middle Eastern market. K-beauty recognition is no longer concentrated around a handful of hero brands but is spreading across multiple tiers.

• Targeted functional cleansing
"COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser Review" appeared twice in the rankings, signaling specific demand for pore-refining and sebum-control cleansers. Functional, ingredient-led cleansing solutions are gaining traction alongside treatment-focused products.

• Beyond facial care: body and hair expansion
Searches such as "Remescar Stretch Marks" and "From Labs Hair Treatment" demonstrate growing interest beyond facial skincare. Consumers are extending their focus to body and hair care, pointing to opportunities for cross-category brand expansion.

 

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